Linux

Well you would think from the headlines going around that the Linux version of Adobe Flash player is being used for an exploit that’s doing the rounds and indeed Adobe also say that earlier versions of Flash on Linux should be updated however lets be clear about who and what is affected;

Right that does it, stop wasting my time with stupid stories trying to make out Linux is as vulnerable to exploits as MS Windows is which quite clearly it isn,t, just accept that you would be safer running a Linux system and if you don’t want to well stop complaining and live with your faulty software.

If you are interested in finding out more about Linux and don’t just want to listen to a load of Windows/Linux Fanboys screaming “my os is the best” then I recommend you pop over to IBM’s website for this informative article describing where and when you might find Linux in your life already, from Smartphones to the Internet itself.

I have just had the misfortune to read this awful ZDnet Feature and thought i’d add my 50p..
OK linux people can you not tell when you have been trolled, don’t bother trying to discuss any thing over there , the article was written just to troll you.
Take the comment “In terms of current usage, and growth, Linux is dead in the water.” that can only have been written by someone with a blinkered and biased view of reality which he probably gets because he spends all day fixing up exploited Windows machines. Want a laugh, go to his website where nearly every article he has written seems to be about a vulnerability in Windows !
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes you are a Windows fanboy desperate to have a new article published ?
So why was this published ? Unfortunately ZDnet were short on news articles so they had no alternative but to use it.

Q: I’ve been told there is no Licence to agree to, is this Software Legal ?.

Linux has a very fine Licence that will GIVE YOU rights and benefits, not take them away, and you should be encouraged to read it.
The basic rights you get are:

The freedom to run the program, for any purpose (freedom 0).

The freedom to study how the program works, and change it so it does your computing as you wish (freedom 1). Access to the source code is a precondition for this.

The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your neighbor (freedom 2).

The freedom to distribute copies of your modified versions to others (freedom 3). By doing this you can give the whole community a chance to benefit from your changes. Access to the source code is a precondition for this.

Source what ? Source Code is the actual data that makes up the Operating System, in this case Linux, you can order a copy from me or obtain it from the distributors website.

Distributor what ? Microsoft and Apple are examples of software distributors Linux Mint is a distribution of Linux.

A: No not exactly, Linux replaces MS Windows, Apple Mac etc. operating systems although it can be run directly from the disc to enable recovery of data from a Windows or Mac PC for example.

Q: Will I receive a printed & boxed disc?

A: Yes, I download the software disc images from the distributor and burn them to a Printed Disc and Box.
You will also receive a brief “Getting Started” Guide
Q:Can I run Photoshop, Dreamweaver Etc. ?

A: With a bit of extra software (Wine) you can run most Windows programs within Linux.
Q: Can I use this disc to repair my computer ?

A: Probably, these Linux discs can be run “Live” which means they run from the disc and DO NOT make any changes to your hard disk drives and data, you can browse all your files and recover them from a Windows PC you could then (A) Install (Make permanent) Linux or (B) you can reboot your PC and carry on working in Windows, although I think once you have had chance to experience this great software you will select option (A) .

Q: Will I get virus’s and malware ?
A: Probably not, Linux was built from the beginning to be secure and is kept up to date with regular security and program updates all available Free from the distributor.

Q: Can I install the software on more than one computer?

A: Yes, Open Source software can be installed on as many machines as you like..

Q: Is this software time limited or restricted in any way?

A: No, this is GPL software there is no activation or additional payment required.

Q: Do I have to pay for updates?

A: No, all updates are provided free by the distributor to your PC via an Internet connection.

Q: I’ve heard I could just download this disc.

A: Well you can’t download a disc 🙂 But yes you can download the software that is on it, first go to your favourite Linux website and download the relevant ISO i386,x86,X64, AMD64 etc. check the MD5 sum then extract and burn the ISO to a disc (not just copy it).

Q: Do you offer technical support?

A: Yes. I certainly do . Email; jazzyATjazzyjeph.co.uk
Email support is available 7 days a week.

Q: I bought an unmarked Linux disc from a company and they won’t give me support or reply to my emails, can you help ?

A: Probably, there are sellers out there who know nothing of Linux and are just in it for a quick buck they sell it to you on a blank disc with no other information it wouldn’t be so bad if they used it themselves but they don’t, send me an email (jazzyATjazzyjeph.co.uk) with your problem and i’ll see if I can help.

Q: Does the software come with a Warranty or Guarantee?

A: No, Linux and other Open Source software comes with NO Warranty or Guarantee, however see next question.

I had just been reading an article at http://www.softwarefreedom.org/resources/2008/shareware.html when I came across Zorin O/S being sold on Ebay, nothing wrong with that until you look at the conditions. So as I see it the producers of Zorin O/S and probably many more are in violation of the requirement not to restrict access to software unless a fee is paid. Notice how Zorin require another donation if you want to update to the latest release..
From their website;

“How much does Zorin OS cost and how do I get it?

The Core, Lite and Educational versions are available to download for free from the Free download page. The Premium versions (Business, Gaming, Multimedia and Ultimate) are available in exchange for a donation on the Premium page for a physical DVD or a download. ”

“If I got an older version of one of the Zorin OS Premium releases would I get a free upgrade to the newer version?

You will have to either donate for a new physical DVD from the Premium page or a Download of it (see above) to upgrade to a newer version of your Premium release. “

The way I read this article they are suggesting Open Source software is more vunerable to malware than Proprietory software, er, sorry but that is one of the most ill informed comment’s I have had the misfortune to read. Based on that premise Microsoft Windows must have a better history of security than say Linux for example. As anybody who has ever done the slightest bit of research into O/S security would know, that quite simply isn’t the case so I can only assume the author of the article did no research what so ever.